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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to |
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a close with the passing of assistant fire chief James Dwight |
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Barkham Jr. of Forney on November 28, 2016, at the age of 56; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Dallas on December 30, 1959, Jamie Barkham |
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was the son of Jim and Ninva Barkham and the brother of Cindy, |
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Laurie, and Jeanine; he graduated from Skyline High School in 1978 |
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and subsequently earned an associate degree in applied arts and |
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science; he went on to work at Steakley Chevrolet for two decades |
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before accepting a position with Southwest Airlines, where he |
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served as a ground support equipment and plant maintenance mechanic |
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for 18 years; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Barkham joined the Forney Fire Department as a |
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volunteer firefighter in January 1987, and over the years, he |
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steadily advanced through the ranks, serving in a number of |
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leadership roles before earning promotion to assistant chief; in |
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honor of his exemplary efforts, he was named Firefighter of the Year |
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multiple times; he was also presented with a Life Saving Award and a |
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CareFlite letter of recognition, and in 2013, he received a |
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certificate of excellence from Texas State Senator Bob Deuell for |
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standing vigil for the firefighters killed by the fertilizer plant |
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explosion in West; and |
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WHEREAS, A devoted family man, Mr. Barkham shared 32 |
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rewarding years of marriage with his wife, Laurie, and their |
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treasured family eventually grew to include their two sons, Brent |
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Barkham and his wife, Keely, and Jacob Barkham and his wife, Kaci, |
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and four grandchildren, Bailey, Landry, Seann, and Graci; in his |
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leisure hours, he loved cooking and spending time in the great |
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outdoors, especially hunting and fishing with his sons; and |
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WHEREAS, Jamie Barkham distinguished himself through his |
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remarkable kindness, courage, and dedication to duty, and though |
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his life ended far too soon, he leaves behind a legacy that will be |
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forever cherished by those who were fortunate enough to have known |
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him; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of James Dwight Barkham |
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Jr. and extend heartfelt sympathy to his relatives and many |
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friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Jamie |
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Barkham. |